The Nipawin Hawks named their leadership group Friday. Left to right, Alex Johnson, Joel Mabin, Maguire Ratzlaff, and Braxton Buckberger. (Submitted photo/Nipawin Hawks)

By Clark Stork

Drop the puck

Hawks name leadership group, optimistic outlook on season

Sep 16, 2022 | 1:25 PM

Friday after the Nipawin Hawks concluded their first game day skate of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) season the team named their leadership group.

Second-year forward Maquire Ratzlaff was named the club’s captain alongside assistants Alex Johnson, Joel Mabin, and Braxton Buckberger. Ratzlaff, 18, said he’s humbled by the honour to lead the 2022-23 group.

“It’s a great honour,” he told northeastNOW. “I think we have a really good team this year. Obviously, we had a younger team last year and this year we have guys stepping up into different roles. It’s super exciting.”

The Abbotsford, B.C. product was acquired early in the season last year from the Melville Millionaires. Ratzlaff played 20 games for the Hawks and 31 overall. He scored three goals and added four assists.

The team placed 11^th in the standings and scored a league-low 128 goals. The Hawks won three of four exhibition games and scored 15 times. Ratzlaff said the team has a new identity heading into head coach Tad Kozun’s first full season behind the bench.

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“I think our biggest advantage this year is we can roll four lines, it’s super competitive in practices which is awesome to see. I think we have some new energy this year which is great, especially starting on the road tonight. I think that’s really important,” Ratzlaff continued.

The Hawks will open the home portion of their season Saturday against the Flin Flon Bombers. Ratzlaff said beginning the season against two division rivals is an exciting way to get the campaign underway.

“We’ve been preparing for the past month or so, we have our roster, I think we’re ready to make a difference this year,” he said.

Faceoff is 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Mel Hegland Uniplex, Saturday’s home opener will begin at 7 p.m.

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clark.stork@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @ClarkStork